Fungi within the genus Fusarium cause severe problems in cereal production worldwide, due to the diseases they are causing as well as mycotoxins they produce. On the 9-10 of March, researchers from Nordic and Baltic countries met in Riga to discuss the current situation, resent research findings and possible solutions to the problems.
Several projects are currently looking at the possibility to use biological control against the diseases. Hanna Friberg presented SLU research on methodological development within the field and an example where these new methods have been used to understand factors that limits the development of pathogenic or mycotoxigenic species. The results were mainly from Ida Karlsson’s doctoral thesis.
Fusarium head blight is one of the most important diseases in small grain cereals. This plant disease, which is caused by fungal species within the genus Fusarium, may have a negative influence on yield and grain quality. Mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species, accumulate in grains and may cause adverse health problems when consumed by human and animals.
hanna.friberg@slu.se, 018-671876, 0703-931106